Connection for use in toy figures



Oct. 28 1969 s. F. SPEERS ETAL 3,475,042

CONNECTION FOR USE IN TOY FIGURES Filed Oct. 5, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Inventors. Samuel ESpeers, Norman L. Jacques,

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Oct. 28, 1969 s. F. SPEERS ETAL 3,475,042

CONNECTION FOR USE IN TOY FIGURES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 5,

- Inventors: Samuel Edjueers, Norman lxlacyaes, y /5 M a 7/ Attfys.

United States Patent 3,475,042 CONNECTION FOR USE IN TOY FIGURES SamuelF. Speers, North Attleboro, Mass., and Norman L.

Jacques, Pawtucket, R.I., assignors to Hasbro Indusftsileshlnc,Pawtucket, R.I., a corporation of Rhode Filed Oct. 3, 1966, Ser. No.583,835 Int. Cl. F16c 11/00; F161 27/00; B25g 3/38 US. Cl. 287-14 ClaimsABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A connection for use in interconnectingmembers of a toy figure in articulated relation including a one-piececonnector element that interconnects the members of the toy figurewithout the requirement of external fasteners.

The connection as described herein has particular application with toyfigures that are formed with articulated joints, such as disclosed incopending application Ser. No. 375,154, filed June 15, 1964, and nowPatent No. 3,277,- 602, and entitled Toy Figure Having Movable Joints.In the aforesaid copending application, the limbs of the toy figure areinterconnected through connector elements that require the use ofexternal fasteners. The present invention avoids this type ofconstruction by the use of a unique connector element that not onlyenables the members or limbs of the toy figure to be more readilyassembled but that resists disengagement of the limbs even when they aresubjected to rigorous manipulation by the user.

In carrying out the concept of the instant invention, one of theconnectors that is used in interconnecting the members of a toy figurein articulated relation includes a first member having a bore formedtherein that terminates at an extremity thereof. A second member isprovided that is formed with an extension joined to an extremitythereof, and the connector element which is formed in a one-piececonstruction interconnects the members in articulated relation withoutthe use of external fasteners applied thereto. For this purpose, theconnector element includes a shank portion that extends into the bore ofthe first member in interengaging relation with respect thereto and alsoincludes a second shank portion that is located at right angles to thefirst shank portion and is received in a bore that is formed axially inthe extension of the second member, wherein the extension and theconnector element are interengaged for relative movement therebetween.

Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide aswivel-type joint for use in a toy figure that avoids the requirement ofexternal fasteners.

Another object of the invention is to provide a connection for use ininterconnecting members or limbs of a toy figure in articulated relationand that is constructed such that the members can easily be snapped intoengagement with the connection but cannot be readily withdrawn fromtheir engaged position.

Still another object is to provide a connection or joint for use in atoy figure in which semi-spherical portions are interconnected forrelative movement therebetween and cooperate to define a ball joint thatis located in a socket formed in a member of the toy figure.

Still another object is to provide a connector element for use in theconnection of members of a toy figure that is molded in a one-piececonstruction of a plastic material so as to form a wear-free connectionwith the member to which it is interengaged.

Still another object is to provide a connector element for use in a toyfigure having a head portion formed with an opening therein that isadapted to receive a pin formed as an integral part of a member of thetoy figure,

3,475,042 Patented Oct. 28, 1969 the pin and head portion being moldedof a plastic material so as to provide a wear-free connectiontherebetween.

Still another object is to provide a connector element molded of aplastic material in a one-piece construction and having a shank that isadapted to be inserted in a bore of a plastic member for securing theconnector element in said bore in movable relation therein.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered inconnection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplatedfor carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view, with parts shown in section, ofone form of a connector element embodied in the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along lines 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional View, with portions shown in elevation, of amodified form of connector element embodied in the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view, taken along lines 44 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the connector element shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3 and illustrating a still furthermodified form of connector element; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the connector element illustrated inFIG. 6.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, aconnection is illustrated for interconnecting the limbs of a toy figuresuch as that illustrated in the aforesaid copending application. Asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower portion of a leg member is generallyindicated at 10, the leg member 10 being normally connected to an upperleg portion of a toy figure. The leg member 10, which is preferablymolded of a plastic material, is formed with an internal bore 12 thatterminates in a socket 14 located at the lower extremity of the legmember.

A foot member generally indicated at 16 is adapted to be joined to theleg member 10 for relative movement therebetween, and thus it iscontemplated that the foot member 16 as joined to the leg member 10 willhave articulated movement so as to permit location of the foot member 16in various positions that simulate actual positions of use. The footmember 16 is also molded of a plastic material and, as formed, simulatesthe human foot in appearance. As shown in FIG. 2, the foot portion 16comprises a body 18 having a plurality of toes 20 formed on the forwardportion thereof and a heel 22 formed on the rear portion thereof.Extending upwardly from the heel 22 and integrally joined theretothrough a reduced neck section 24 is an extension 26 having asemi-spherical configuration. The inside face of the semi-sphericalextension 26 is indicated at 28 and as shown is generally flat anddisposed in a vertical plane. Extending through the extension 26 inaxial relation with respect thereto is a bore 30, the purpose of whichwill be hereinafter described.

In contrast to the usual construction of articulated joints for toyfigures, the present invention avoids the use of external fasteningelements such as pins and/or cords and employs a single connectorelement for joining the foot member 16 to the leg member 10. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, a connector element generally indicated at 32 is providedand includes a semi-spherical body por tion 34 having a relatively flatface 36 that is disposed in a vertical plane. Joined to the body portion34 and extending outwardly thereof in axial relation is a shank 38 thatis adapted to be received in the bore 30 of the extension 26 and isformed with a plurality of circumferential ridges therein that defineteeth which are disposed in a direction that permits entry of the shank38 into the bore 30 but resists removal therefrom.

Also joined to the body portion 34 and extending upwardly with respectthereto is a second shank 42 that is adapted to be inserted into thebore 12 of the leg member 10. The shank 42 is also formed with a seriesof circumferential ridges or teeth 44, the configuration of whichpermits entry of the shank 42 into the bore 12 but resists removaltherefrom.

In the assembly of the foot member 16 to the leg member 10, theconnector element 32 is secured to the foot member 16 by locating theshank 38 in the bore 30 of the extension 26. Although thecircumferential ridges 40 prevent withdrawal of the shank 38 from thebore 30 after insertion therein, it is seen that relative rotationbetween the body portion 38 of the connector element 32 and theextension 26 is possible. Thus the foot member 16 can be moved relativeto the connector element 32 by rotating movement of the foot member 16about the axis of the bore 30 and shank 38 secured therein.

After the connector element 32 has been secured to the foot member 16,as described, the assembly is then joined to the leg member by insertingthe shank 42 within the bore 12. Since the extension 26 and body portion34 of the connector element 32 are semi-spherical in configuration, thejoining thereof by inserting the shank 38 within the bore 30 in eifectdefines a spherical element as illustrated in FIG. 2. When the shank 42is inserted into the bore 12 of the leg member 10, the spherical elementdefined by the body portion 34 and extension 26 is received within thesocket 14 as shown in FIG. 2 to form a finished appearance for theassembly. The socket 14 further provides for rotating movement of theextension 26 when it is rotated as part of the foot member 16 withrespect to the body portion 34 and about the axis of the shank 38.

With the foot member 16 mounted in position on the leg member 10, asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, it may be moved relative to the leg member10 and about the axis of the shank 38 and bore 30. Foot member 16,together with the connector element 32, may be further moved relative tothe leg member 10 by the rotation of this assembly about the axis of thebore 12 and shank 42. Since the connector element 32 is also molded of aplastic material, the interconnection of the plastic shanks 38 and 42within the bores 30 and 12 respectively, provides for a wear-freeconnection of the parts regardless of the amount of movement thereofrelative to each other.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, a modified form of the invention isillustrated and, as shown, has particular application for the joining ofa hand to the forearm of a toy figure, such as is illustrated anddescribed in the aforesaid copending application. The forearm as shownin FIGS. 3 and 4 is generally indicated at 50 and defines a lower memberof the arm of the toy figure on which a hand generally indicated at 52is to be mounted for relative movement therebetween. Both the arm member50 and the hand member 52 are molded of a plastic material in theconfiguration illustrated and are adapted to be interconnected forrelative movement by means of a plastic connecting element generallyindicated at 54.

The member 50 which defines the forearm of the toy figure is formed withinternal bore 56 that extends to the outer extermity thereof,terminating in a socket 58. The hand member 52 includes digital portionsthat represent fingers indicated .at 60 that are shaped in an especialconfiguration in accordance with the use of the toy figure. The handmember 52 further includes an upper portion 62 to which an extension 66is integrally joined. The extension 66 is generally spherical inconfiguration and is formed with a slot 68 therein that extends radiallythereof. Located axially in the spherical extension 66 is a pin 70 thatis molded as an integral part of the extension as seen in FIG. 4. Thepin 70 is adapted to receive the connector element 54 therearound andthus cooperates with the connector element 54 to secure the hand member52 thereto.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the connector element 54 is shown-being formedwith a head portion 72 through which an axial opening 74 extends. Joinedto the head portion 72 is a shank portion generally indicated at 73through which a longitudinal slot 76 extends, the slot 76 communicatingwith the opening 74. Thus, the longitudinal slot divides the shankportion into spaced legs 78 and 80, the leg 80 being somewhat longerthan the leg 78. In order to secure the connector element 54 within thebore 56, the legs 78 and 80 that define the shank 73 of the connectorelement are formed with teeth indicated at 82 and 84, respectively, theteeth being inclined in a direction that pennits entry of the shank 73into the bore 56 but that prevents withdrawal therefrom.

In the assembly of the hand member 52 to the arm member 50, theconnector element 54 is first secured to the hand member 52 by slidingthe legs 78 and 80 into the slot 68 formed in the spherical extension66. Since the leg 78 is somewhat smaller than the leg 80, the connectorelement may be reversed in direction in the slot 68 so as to locate thepin 70 within the opening 74 of the head portion 72. The shank of theconnector element 54 in this position is directed outwardly of theextension 66 and may then be inserted within the bore 56 of the armmember 50. The shank 73 of the connector element is inserted inwardly ofthe bore 56 until the spherical extension 66 is received within thesocket 58 defined at the extremity of the arm member 50.

In the mounted position of the hand member 52 as illustrated in FIGS. 3and 4, it is understood that the band member 52 is pivotal with respectto the arm member 50 by rotation of the pin 70 within the opening 74 ofthe connector element. The hand member 52 is further rotatable about theaxis of the bore 56 since the material from which the connector element54 is formed and from which the arm member 50 is formed are bothplastic. Thus, a wear-free connection is defined between the hand member52 and the connector eletment 54 as well as between the connectionbetween the shank 73 of the connector element 54 and the arm member 50.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, a modified form of connector element isillustrated that is used in interconnecting the hand member 52 to thearm member 50. As illustrated in FIG. 7, a connector element generallyindicated at 86 is formed with a head portion 88 that has a hook-likeconfiguration that defines a space 90, an axial opening 91 also beingformed in the head portion 88. Joined to the head portion 88 is a shank92 on which a plurality of circumferentially extending ridges or teeth94 are formed. The teeth 94 are inclined in a direction that permitsentry of the shank 92 within the bore 56 but prevents withdrawaltherefrom. Since the connector element 86 is also formed of a plasticmaterial, a wearfree connection is formed therebetween and the armmember 52 with which it is engaged.

The connector element 86 is mounted on the hand member 52 by securingthe head member 88 on the pin 70. This is accomplished by placing thehead member 88 within the slot 68 of the extension 66, with the spacebeing disposed for receiving the pin 70 therein. Rotation of theconnector element 86 to the position illustrated in FIG. 6 will thenlock the hand member 52 on the connector element 86. With the connectorelement 86 mounted on the hand member 52, the shank 92 is then insertedwithin the bore 56, as illustrated in FIG. 6, until the sphericalextension 66 is received within the socket 58 of the arm member. It isunderstood that the hand member 52 is rotatable with respect to the armmember 50 about the axis of the pin 70 and is further rotatable with theconnector element 86 about the axis of the bore and shank 92. Aspreviously described, since all of the parts are formed of a plasticmeterial, a wear-free connection is formed between the pin 70 and thehead member 88 and between the shank 92 and the walls of the arm memberthat define the bore 56.

It is seen that the connection illustrated in the various figures of thedrawings is easily insertable in position and does not require the useof special tools or skills to effect the connection thereto to themembers. Furthermore, external fastening elements, such as metal pins,are not required since the shank portions that are joined to theconnector elements form a positive connection within the bores in whichthey are inserted. Also, since the materials from which the componentsare formed are plastic, a quiet and easily movable articulated joint isdefined. It is further seen that the connection between the members asdefined by the connector element is sufliciently tight to enable themembers to be moved to a particular position and maintained thereatuntil moved again. This frictional drag between the parts is facilitatedby the use of the plastic materials from which the elements arefabricated.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structureembodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the artthat various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventiveconcept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms hereinshown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a connection for use in interconnecting members of a toy figure inarticulated relation, a first member having a bore formed therein thatterminates at an extremity thereof, a second member having an extensionjoined to an extremity thereof, and a connector element formed in aone-piece construction and interconnecting said members in articulatedrelation without the use of external fasteners applied thereto, saidconnector element including a shank portion that extends into said borein interengaging relation with respect thereto, and means cooperatingwith said extension for securing said connector to said extension sothat there is relative movement therebetween, said one-piece connectorelement including a second shank portion that is located at right anglesto said first-named shank portion and is received in a bore that isformed axially in said extension, wherein said extension and connectorelement are interengaged for relative movement therebetween, said shankportions being formed with circumferential teeth thereon, the diametersof which are slightly greater than those of said bores and that have aconfiguration that permits easy insertion thereof into said bores butprevents the withdrawal therefrom, said extension having asemi-spherical configuration and said connector element including asemi-spherical body portion to which said shank portions are joined,said semi-spherical portion and extension cooperating to define aspherical ball-like member, and the extremity of said first memberhaving a socket formed therein that receives said ball-like member ininterfittin'g relation.

2. In a connection as set forth in claim 1, said onepiece connectorelement that includes said shank portions being molded of a plasticmaterial, said extension and first member also being formed of a plasticmaterial and cooperating with the plastic shank portions to provide forwearfree movement therebetween.

3. In a connection for use in interconnecting members of a toy figure inarticulated relation, a first member having a bore formed therein thatterminates at an extremity thereof, a second member having an extensionjoined to an extremity thereof, and a connector element formed in aone-piece construction and interconnecting said members in articulatedrelation without the use of external fasteners applied thereto, saidconnector element including a shank portion that extends into said borein interengaging relation with respect thereto, and means cooperatingwith said extension for securing said connector to said extension sothat there is relative movement therebetween, said one-piece connectorelement including a head portion in which an opening is formed, the axisof said opening being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of saidshank portion, and said extension having a pin integrally formedtherein, said pin being received in the opening in said head portion tosecure said second member to said first member for relative movementtherebetween, said shank portion being split to define a longitudinalslot therein, said slot communicating with the opening in the headportion and providing for securement of said connector element on saidpin.

4. In a connection for use in interconnecting members of a toy figure inarticulated relation, a first member having a bore formed therein thatterminates at an extremity thereof, a second member having an extensionjoined to an extremity thereof, and a connector element formed in aone-piece construction and interconnecting said members in articulatedrelation without the use of external fasteners applied thereto, saidconnector element including a shank portion that extends into said borein interenga'ging relation with respect thereto, and means cooperatingwith said extension for securing said connector to said extension sothat there is relative movement therebetween, said one-piece connectorelement including a head portion in which an opening is formed, the axisof said opening being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of saidshank portion, and said extension having a pin integrally formedtherein, said pin being received in the opening in said head portion tosecure said second member to said first member for relative movementtherebetween, said connector element and said second member being moldedof a plastic material that provides for wearfree engagement of said headportion on said pin, said head portion having a hook formed thereon thatprovides for securement of said connector element on said pin.

5. In a connection as set forth in claim 4, said shank portion beingformed with circumferential teeth thereon the diameters of which areslightly greater than that of said bore and that has a configurationthat permits easy insertion thereof into said bore but preventswithdrawal therefrom.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,817,775 8/1931 Sipe.

807,473 12/1905 Kolar 46163 817,511 4/1906 Palmenberg 46161 XR 1,255,4062/1918 Gilbert 287-101 3,090,157 5/1963 Lohr 46161 XR 3,277,602 10/1966Speers et al. 46-173 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 4,688 9/ 1905 France. 616,601 1/1949 Great Britain.

78,474 6/1962 France.

DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner A. V. KUNDRAT, AssistantExaminer US. Cl. X.R. 46161

